Investigators with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office believe the remains are those of Leigh Hobart Abel Jr., a World War II veteran who was 78 years old when he went missing from Volusia County on Dec. 20, 2001, according to a Sheriff’s Office report. Investigators believe Abel’s death was a homicide.

Detectives are trying to locate two people who might know something about Abel’s death.

Abel moved to Orange City in 1989 with his wife after retiring. On the day he disappeared, he went fishing at Canaveral National Seashore Park, according to the report. He did not leave anything behind.

His 1999 GMC Suburban SUV was found in Boca Raton one year later, but information about his whereabouts was not found.

Abel was wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue shorts, a gold wedding band, dentures and a tan polo when he disappeared.

“Based on the clothing match and vehicle key match, the victim was presumptively identified as Abel,” according to the report.

Detectives are trying to find two people who might have information about Abel’s murder.

Witnesses said they saw a man with Abel just before he disappeared. They described him as “a clean-shaven Caucasian male in his twenties.”

The Sheriff’s Office has released a composite sketch of this man.

Also, a CrimeStoppers tip was made to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office in November 2003 after flyers were placed in the area where Abel’s car had been found.

According to the tip, a white man who goes by the nickname “Ziggy” could have information about the investigation. At the time, Ziggy lived by himself in a second-floor apartment. He was described as 5 feet 10 inches tall with a medium build and short brown hair and brown eyes.

“Ziggy” has not been identified.

Abel was a WWII veteran who had lived with his wife in New York, Michigan and Wisconsin before retiring to Florida. His wife died in October and his daughter Diane died in July 2011. His daughter Linda lives in Edmore, Mich.

Anyone with any information about the disappearance of Abel should contact Sheriff's Office Detective Eugene Tolbert at at 209-3985. You can also remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling CrimeStoppers of N.E. Florida at 1-(888) 277-TIPS (8477).